Madam, That's Too Much

The next day, before dawn.

The stars and moon were already veiled by dark clouds. Rain drifted down, its pattering echoes filling Chunhe Garden.

Xiao Jinghong rose early.

After washing up, she sat before the dressing table and looked over the rouge, cosmetics, and other items. In the end, she merely picked up her Silver Half-Armor and put it on.

Su Zhenyue was dressed as an attendant, wearing the same half-armor. Holding a set of clothes in her hands, she stood respectfully at the side.

Xiao Jinghong studied herself carefully in the bronze mirror, then rose and asked, "What is on the schedule today?"

Su Zhenyue shook out the clothes and helped her get dressed. "You are to visit the Training Ground first. Yesterday, you arranged with Second Master to assess their progress on the Martial Path."

"After Breakfast, you are to visit the various residences with Eldest Miss. I have already prepared the gifts."

"At noon, the Prefect will visit. Old Master will have someone inform you beforehand. Also, this afternoon, General Changqing wishes to..."

Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly. "Turn him down. Tomorrow, I will summon the Three Towns Generals to discuss matters together."

Su Zhenyue nodded. "I will notify General Changqing shortly."

As they spoke, the two left the side room. Upon reaching the stairs, Xiao Jinghong glanced at the room opposite them.

"Prepare more meat for her this morning."

"Alright."

Su Zhenyue knew she meant Pei Guanli. After replying, she could not help recalling that girl's "threat" back in Black Armored Army Town, and said with a quiet laugh, "The Mountain Tribe sent her out to deliver a message—weren't they afraid she might get lost?"

Xiao Jinghong said flatly, "That Old Woman must believe Pei Guanli has the ability to travel the martial world alone, or she would not have been at ease letting her leave the mountain."

"Do not be fooled by her rash temperament and low Cultivation Base. She carries quite a few strange and peculiar things on her."

"Miss, do you mean witchcraft?"

As Xiao Jinghong walked out of the Wooden Tower, she gave a soft hum. "Gu worms and poisons may be unorthodox paths, but if used well, they can still run rampant through the Lower Three Ranks. Besides, her Martial Path should be on the verge of a Breakthrough into the Eighth Rank Realm."

Su Zhenyue looked at her in surprise. "If I remember correctly, she has been stuck at the peak of the Ninth Rank Realm for many years, hasn't she?"

"She must have been more diligent lately."

As she spoke, Xiao Jinghong looked toward the Third Floor of another Wooden Tower. Seeing no light there, she stepped into the rain.

Without needing a reminder, Su Zhenyue opened the oil-paper umbrella she had prepared long ago, held it over Xiao Jinghong's head, and followed closely at her heels.

Noticing Xiao Jinghong's gaze, she hesitated before asking, "Miss, when we visit the various residences later, should we bring Son-in-law along as well?"

"No..."

Before she could finish, Xiao Jinghong recalled their time together in the Pavilion last night and changed her words.

"No hurry. I will ask him when I return from the Training Ground."

"Uh..."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, nothing. I spoke out of turn."

Su Zhenyue lowered her head, but her eyes beneath the mask were wide with astonishment.

As Xiao Jinghong's personal attendant, Su Zhenyue considered herself to understand her extremely well.

Ever since childhood, Xiao Jinghong had always had a mind of her own. Whether practicing the Martial Path, learning to read and write, or studying military strategy, she had never needed the elders of the residence to concern themselves.

After entering the Dingyuan Army, even with generals such as Li Changqing and the military advisers assisting her, matters as weighty as the heavens were always hers to Decide.

Yet now, Xiao Jinghong wanted Chen Yi's opinion on such a trivial matter.

This...

Su Zhenyue's mind was full of questions. Why did Miss care so much about Son-in-law?

While rain lashed the banana leaves in Chunhe Garden, Chen Yi enjoyed a rare peaceful sleep.

For one thing, it was raining. For another, Wang Lixing knew Miss had returned and did not dare come and go as he pleased.

Thus, it was not until a quarter into Mao Hour that Xiao Die entered quietly, carrying a basin of hot water with a towel draped over her shoulder.

With a creak, Xiao Die poked her head in and glanced at Chen Yi, who was still sleeping soundly. A hint of reluctance appeared on her pretty face.

Ever since Son-in-law began practicing the Martial Path, he had not slept until this hour in a long while.

But thinking of how Shen Huatang had just informed her that Eldest Miss had prepared Breakfast, she could only step forward and wake Son-in-law.

"What time is it?"

Chen Yi's breathing paused. He opened his eyes, sat up, and asked.

Xiao Die set the washbasin beside the bed, wet the towel and wrung it dry. As she gently wiped his face, she replied, "Son-in-law, it is already Mao Hour."

"Just now, Eldest Miss had Sister Huatang summon you and Second Miss for Breakfast."

"But Second Miss went to the Training Ground early this morning and hasn't returned yet. Would you like to wait, or go over first?"

After wiping his face, Chen Yi got out of bed and changed into fresh clothes. "I'll wait for Madam."

Xiao Die tidied his clothes for him and said with a smile, "Son-in-law, you and Second Miss sat in the pavilion talking for a long time last night."

"You weren't asleep then either?"

"No, but I couldn't make out what you were saying. Still, Xiao Die could tell that you and Second Miss are a perfect match."

Chen Yi could not resist tapping her on the forehead. "What do you know about being a perfect match?"

Xiao Die rubbed her brow, squeezed her eyes, and grinned. "Like Third Place Scholar and Yunniang. You and Second Miss are like that too."

"Not even close."

Chen Yi thought that Li Huaigu and Yunniang were childhood sweethearts, while Xiao Jinghong and he had met only twice at most. Where could any romance possibly come from?

If others truly saw romance between them, calling it "false affection and feigned love" would not be an exaggeration.

Before she could continue, Chen Yi asked, "Why are you using honorifics again? Did seeing Miss return to the mansion make you afraid they'd punish you?"

Xiao Die stuck out her tongue. "I still have to follow the mansion's rules."

Before long, the two left the Wooden Tower. Standing beneath the eaves, they listened to the rain and chatted idly.

Mostly, Xiao Die spoke while Chen Yi listened, occasionally responding with a bland "Mm," "Ah," or "Oh."

"Son-in-law, why aren't you surprised?"

"That was Mr. Yue Ming of Guiyun Academy. If Eldest Miss and Second Miss hadn't arrived in time and spoken up, he would have stepped forward to snatch your Calligraphy Copybook."

Chen Yi humored her. "Surprised. Very surprised."

What was there to be surprised about with an old shameless man obsessed with calligraphy?

Yet Xiao Die believed him and continued happily recounting yesterday's events: when the two misses returned from visiting Old Master, they encountered Tiebi Town Commander Li Changqing and Second Master, along with the Duchess.

This time, Chen Yi was somewhat interested. "Were that Li Changqing and Old Master, Madam, and the others close?"

Xiao Die nodded. "Very close. General Li was Old Master's student. Before he became the commander of Iron Wall Army Town, he often came and went from the Marquis's mansion."

Chen Yi understood and continued asking, "What happened after Madam rebuked Second Master and that Duchess?"

He knew that each of Shu Province's three army towns had a commander, all under Marquis Dingyuan's command. They could be called Old Marquis's right and left arms.

Now that Xiao Jinghong was temporarily acting as commander-in-chief of the Dingyuan Army in Old Marquis's place, it was only natural that she knew them well.

"Nothing after that. Son-in-law, you didn't see their expressions... they were terrifying."

"That only shows how narrow-minded they are."

Leaving other matters aside, Xiao Qiuyun's suggestion that he take a post at the Shu Provincial Administration alone had made him dislike her.

So Madam was right—an unmarried young lady of the Second Branch who had married out should ask less about the Xiao Family's affairs.

Not long afterward, when Xiao Jinghong and Su Zhenyue returned, Chen Yi greeted them with a few pleasantries before they headed together for Jiaxing Garden.

Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong walked side by side at the front, chatting on and off.

Thinking of the day's arrangements, Xiao Jinghong asked, "Husband, Sister and I will be delivering gifts to the various residences later. Would you like to come with us?"

Chen Yi considered it, then nodded. "All right."

"Then would you be willing to help Eldest Sister?"

"All right... hm?"

Xiao Jinghong turned her head to look at him. "Eldest Sister currently manages the Medicine Halls inside and outside the mansion, the farmlands, and several shops. If you agree, you can go and lend her a hand."

Chen Yi: "..."

Madam, you are going a little too far.

We've only just become somewhat familiar, and you're already planning to make your husband work like an ox and a horse?